Florentino Pérez has never been the greatest orator in Spanish football, and that is unlikely to change. Especially not now, as the 77-year-old Real Madrid chairman’s tongue and gait seem to be slowing down. On the other hand: At the end of an hour and a half at the annual general meeting of the Spanish record champions, he got hold of it – and inspired a smile from many of the listeners, who followed shortly after. Fixed Eggs celebrated. When he spoke about the “Ballon d’Or”, the election for the best footballer of the year, Pérez not only let out a “hehehe”, but his face also turned into a smile.
As a reminder: at the end of October, Real Madrid stayed away from the gala where the “Golden Ball” was awarded to Rodri (Manchester City) as the best player of the season; there was a Real Madrid delegation trip to Paris by order of mufti canceled when it was announced hours before the ceremony began that only Real Madrid striker Vinícius Jr. in second place. There hasn’t been a single comment from Pérez since; So now he broke his silence. On the one hand, to tell Rodri that it is abut no this one “Ballon d’Or” (which could be related to the rumor that Real Madrid would like to sign Rodri). And on the other hand, in order to see the inner eye madriditas To allow conspiratorial images to emerge.
Because: Because the European Football Union Uefa participated for the first time (as a co-organizer) there was a series of changes in the voting method, which he marked with the ironic and sarcastic exclamation “caray”, which means: Look at that! His opinion was that journalists from countries with less than a million inhabitants were allowed to vote, with India (1.5 billion) left out, somewhat like the organizer of the election, the magazine, French football, search for votes in Tuvalu, Nauru and San Marino. But Pérez directed the anger at the representatives of other nations: “Without votes from four countries – Namibia, Uganda, Albania and Finland – Vinícius would have won the Ballon d’Or,” shouted Pérez. The Finn resigned as an elector. “I thank him,” he said.
But Pérez was free of irony there too. He looked back at the club’s “golden era” (six Champions League titles in ten years), announced winning net profits (not including 1.8 billion euros in debt for stadium renovations) and criticized Vinícius’ coaching (61 million euros). Transfer fee) and Rodrygo (45 million) to Real’s youth department. Above all, he painted the future of the sport in gloomy colours. “The situation has never been more sensitive” than it is now.
Along with this there were attacks on the Spanish league association, UEFA and the world association Fifa. Uefa and FIFA have inflated the calendar so much that a Real player could play 82 games this season. The number of matches organized by UEFA and FIFA has increased from 22 to 36 in ten years – at the expense of players and spectators. “The Fifa Club World Cup (summer 2025) will deprive the players of their much-needed rest,” he said.
Pérez initially left it if the club would become a stock corporation
Pérez’s favorite subject remains the Super League, which he pulled out of the hat in April 2021 and saw immediately implode. The ruling by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) “gave us back our freedom,” Pérez shouted, adding that the Super League is yet to come. Whose? He left that out. He called the new Champions League system of 36 participants in the preliminary round “incomprehensible” and “unfair”. He recalled that the Super League operators (which he belongs to) offered “free” football broadcasts and wanted to kill two birds with one stone. Someone would get rid of piracy on the Internet – and avoid the fate that the Blockbuster company once suffered: going out of business. Blockbuster was the largest video rental company in the world at the turn of the millennium – and it made the historic mistake of closing itself with the streaming service “Netflix”.
However, Peréz only accounted for the most interesting innovation that came to Real Madrid: Real Madrid, which was previously a registered club, should be reorganized to protect the economic assets of the club and its members. Spanish media speculate that Pérez wants to turn the membership cards into share certificates; There is also talk of a conversion based on the German “50+1″ model to attract large investors based on the FC Bayern model. Pérez only promised one thing: that Real Madrid’s new constitution should be voted on through a referendum.
What implications do Florentino Pérez’s remarks have for the future of player welfare in football?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Football Expert
Time.news Editor (TNE): Good afternoon! Today, we have the privilege of speaking with renowned football expert, Dr. Maria Lopez, to delve into Florentino Pérez’s recent remarks at the Real Madrid annual general meeting. Thank you for joining us, Dr. Lopez.
Dr. Maria Lopez (ML): Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to be here.
TNE: Let’s start with the highlight of the meeting—Pérez’s comments on the Ballon d’Or. He seemed both sarcastic and contemplative regarding the voting process. Why do you think he chose this moment to critique the election?
ML: Pérez has always been quite strategic in his communications. By critiquing the voting method, he’s not just expressing disappointment; he’s also rallying support for Vinícius Jr. His comments reflect the frustrations felt by many in the football world regarding how player performances are evaluated, especially when it feels like a player’s contributions might be overshadowed by questionable voting decisions.
TNE: You mentioned Vinícius Jr. Is this an indication of Real Madrid’s potential intentions to recruit Rodri, as hinted in Pérez’s remarks?
ML: It certainly seems that way. Pérez subtly communicating his desire to sign Rodri indicates his long-term vision for the team’s success. He understands the weight of media narratives and is likely trying to position Real Madrid as an attractive destination, especially since Rodri just won the Ballon d’Or. It’s a chess move, both in terms of negotiating power and brand image.
TNE: In his speech, Pérez painted a rather bleak picture of the football landscape. Why is he so concerned about the future of the sport?
ML: Pérez’s concerns likely stem from several factors. He mentioned the inflated match calendar, which indeed poses a risk to player health and longevity. The increasing number of matches can lead players to burnout, impacting the quality of the game. Moreover, financial pressures and player welfare have become urgent topics in football. His advocacy for change could be an effort to protect the sport’s integrity.
TNE: Speaking of players and their well-being, how do you view his comments about the FIFA Club World Cup? He seems to think it complicates players’ schedules.
ML: Absolutely. The addition of such tournaments to an already packed schedule means less recovery time for players, which isn’t just detrimental for them individually but can also affect their performances at the club and international levels. It points to a larger issue within football governance where player welfare often takes a back seat to revenue generation.
TNE: Pérez also directed his criticism at UEFA and FIFA. Do you believe these organizations are listening to the concerns of club leaders like him?
ML: That’s a complicated question. While they might be aware of the concerns, the structure of football governance often prioritizes surrounding interests over the voices of individual clubs. However, if influential figures like Pérez continue to vocalize these issues, it could spark larger conversations that could ultimately compel these organizations to reassess their priorities and the broader implications for players and fans alike.
TNE: In the wake of these discussions, what do you think is the next step for Real Madrid?
ML: I wouldn’t be surprised to see a concerted effort from their board to engage with fan and player welfare initiatives alongside pursuing strong transfer opportunities. Pérez is known for his ambition, so I expect he will try to balance boosting the team’s competitive edge while advocating for the players’ interests.
TNE: Thank you, Dr. Lopez. Your insights into this matter have been invaluable. It appears we’re at a crossroads in football, and voices like Pérez’s will be crucial as we navigate future challenges.
ML: It was my pleasure! I agree—it’s an evolving landscape, and the direction we take now could shape football for years to come.
TNE: Thank you for joining us, and we look forward to your insights in the future.